Spindle drive for an adjusting element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A spindle drive for an adjustable element of a motor vehicle is provided with a drive unit having a drive unit housing formed in a materially uniform manner, the spindle drive having two drive portions which run in opposition to one another, the spindle-side drive portion having a torsion tube formed in a materially uniform manner with an engagement portion, and the spindle nut being in rotationally fixed but axially displaceable engagement with the engagement portion to form a torque support. The torsion tube has a fastening portion which is fastened to the drive unit housing in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner.

1 . A spindle drive for an adjustable element of a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a drive unit having a drive unit housing formed in a materially uniform manner,   a feed mechanism designed as a spindle-spindle nut mechanism connected downstream of the drive unit in terms of drive and intended for producing linear drive movements along a geometric drive axis,   two mechanical drive connections for channeling out the drive movements, and   first and second drive portions which run in opposition to one another, the first drive portion receiving the drive unit and a spindle of the feed mechanism that is aligned with the drive axis, and the second drive portion receiving a spindle nut of the feed mechanism that is in engagement with the spindle,   wherein the first drive portion has a torsion tube formed in a materially uniform manner with an engagement portion,   wherein the spindle nut is in a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable engagement with the engagement portion to form a torque support, and   wherein the torsion tube has a fastening portion which is fastened to the drive unit housing in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner.   
     
     
         2 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening portion of the torsion tube merges integrally into the engagement portion of the torsion tube. 
     
     
         3 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the torsion tube with the engagement portion and the fastening portion is formed integrally overall. 
     
     
         4 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the torsion tube engages axially in the drive unit housing at least in part. 
     
     
         5 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening portion of the torsion tube is crimped with the drive unit housing. 
     
     
         6 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a helical spring element acting as a tension spring which is coupled to the first and second drive portions and by which the first and second drive portions can be pretensioned with respect to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first drive portion has a spring adapter for coupling to the helical spring element. 
     
     
         8 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the spring adapter is in engagement with an outer side of the torsion tube in such a way that the helical spring element is supported axially on the torsion tube by its spring force. 
     
     
         9 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the spring adapter is pushed axially onto the torsion tube. 
     
     
         10 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the spring adapter is fixed to the torsion tube by a fastening arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the spring adapter is of one-piece design, or wherein the spring adapter is of at least two-piece design. 
     
     
         12 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable element is a rear lid, a tailgate, a door, or a luggage compartment component. 
     
     
         13 . An adjustable element arrangement of a motor vehicle comprising an adjustable element and a spindle drive for the adjustable element as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a spindle drive as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the torsion tube has a fastening portion which is fastened to the drive unit housing in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first drive portion has a spring adapter for coupling to a helical spring element, and wherein the spring adapter is pushed axially onto the torsion tube before the torsion tube is fastened by its fastening portion to the drive unit housing in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner, wherein a parts store having different spring adapters for different helical spring elements is provided, and wherein, in dependence on the geometry of the helical spring element, a corresponding spring adapter is removed from the parts store and is pushed axially onto the torsion tube. 
     
     
         16 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the drive unit housing is formed from metal. 
     
     
         17 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the spring adapter is a separate component from the torsion tube. 
     
     
         18 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the spring adapter is designed in the manner of a sleeve and has on its outer side a receiving portion for the helical spring element. 
     
     
         19 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the receiving portion is designed in the manner of an external thread into which an end portion of the helical spring element is screwed. 
     
     
         20 . The spindle drive as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the torsion tube has a supporting formation for supporting the helical spring element via the spring adapter.